Issue Page

Small business and revitalization

Legalize compatible neighborhood-scale businesses, then make the approval process fast, clear, and inexpensive.

Where this shows up

South Norfolk: Bainbridge corridor, Liberty and 22nd activation, and useful city-owned commercial space.
Indian River: shopping-center revitalization, grocery access, and neighborhood services.
Greenbrier and Western Branch: mall redevelopment that includes local businesses, not only chains and apartments.
Southern Chesapeake, Grassfield, and Deep Creek: farm businesses, year-round markets, and agritourism only where rural roads can safely carry the traffic.

Create clear by-right or overlay rules for low-impact home bakeries, tea gardens, sandwich shops, carts, farm stands, and similar businesses.
Use one-click applications, nominal fees, preapproved designs, plain operating limits, and scheduled inspections.
Offer low-cost stalls or workspaces in suitable vacant city-owned buildings instead of discretionary grant programs.
Permit mobile food and retail businesses through simple health, safety, location, and cleanup standards.
Prioritize local business access before subsidies for large outside developments.